Is This A Legitimate Guinea Pig Noise?

[hidey_hi]

Pirate used to be the only one to do this, but Strawberry does it now too. When they're very relaxed being cuddled, or getting a little scratch behind the ears, and sometimes when they're in their cage getting really comfy after eating, I hear a noise which I used to think was what people called 'purring', but according to all the websites I've read, purring is the shorter, 'brrrr' they make when they hear an unfamiliar sound or get put back in a clean cage. It's not that.

This noise is continuous, and I can only describe it as 'crumping', as if they're saying 'crumpcrumpcrumpcrumpcrump'.

It's not snoring, although it sounds a bit snorey, because they do it when they're awake. I'm sure it's not a respiratory thing because of when they do it, but I'd love to know its 'official noise name' and if other people's pigs do it too. Maybe it's really common, but it doesn't seem to appear on lists of piggy noises. I'd catch it on video if they'd only make it when I want them to!

 

[Rosehip]

I know the noise you mean, but don't know the name of it either!
I have had piggys do it when they are really chilled, I think it is their version of a purr xx

 

[Wiebke]

Pirate used to be the only one to do this, but Strawberry does it now too. When they're very relaxed being cuddled, or getting a little scratch behind the ears, and sometimes when they're in their cage getting really comfy after eating, I hear a noise which I used to think was what people called 'purring', but according to all the websites I've read, purring is the shorter, 'brrrr' they make when they hear an unfamiliar sound or get put back in a clean cage. It's not that.

This noise is continuous, and I can only describe it as 'crumping', as if they're saying 'crumpcrumpcrumpcrumpcrump'.

It's not snoring, although it sounds a bit snorey, because they do it when they're awake. I'm sure it's not a respiratory thing because of when they do it, but I'd love to know its 'official noise name' and if other people's pigs do it too. Maybe it's really common, but it doesn't seem to appear on lists of piggy noises. I'd catch it on video if they'd only make it when I want them to!

This kind of soft purring is indeed a sound of pleasure, similar to cat purring. We get asked about it fairly regularly, but by far not all guinea pigs pleasure purr.

The problem with all the videos and audios out there is that the differences are often very subtle and that you need to take body language and situational context into account, too, so it is near impossible to make an ultimate guide. There are also many totally wrong interpretations making the rounds.